Redick unveils Lakers' playoff preparation plan! Won't solely rely on LeBron's isolation plays; practicing positioning and rebounding drills specifically for the Rockets.

On April 15 Beijing time, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Redick, after leading the team's first playoff preparation practice, stated that he currently has no further updates regarding the return timelines for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves from their respective injuries. "Their return dates are uncertain," Redick said. "I won't have any updates this week. Their return dates are uncertain."

Reaves is currently recovering from a Grade 2 left oblique strain. He appeared at the team's training facility and practiced free throws with teammates wearing sandals after the session. Reaves suffered the injury during the April 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and is expected to require 4 to 6 weeks for recovery.

Doncic remains in Spain, having received multiple injections for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Sources informed ESPN that Doncic will return to Los Angeles on Saturday, while the Lakers' first playoff game will take place on the opening day.

For the Lakers, James is available to play. He was recently named Western Conference Player of the Week and led the team to a 3-1 record to finish the regular season after the star backcourt's injury. However, Redick indicated that the team's strategy will not solely depend on this veteran with 23 years of career experience.

"I believe we have other options besides having him handle the ball every possession and facing set defenses in isolation plays," Redick said. "We will mix different tactical combinations based on the opponent's lineup and defensive strategies."

After giving the team a day off on Tuesday, Redick outlined the preparation plan for the remainder of the week leading into the first round.

Redick described today's practice as "primarily focused on refining our own play." On Thursday, the coaching staff will review the Rockets' player profiles, including Kevin Durant (5th on the NBA all-time scoring list), All-Star center Sengun, and wing Amen Thompson—considered one of the most athletic players in the league. Friday will involve scout-report-specific drills, and Saturday will reinforce the review. "We will be ready on game day (Sunday)," Redick stated.

Today's practice was more intense. Redick noted it was more competitive than the preparation sessions before last spring's first-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which the Lakers ultimately lost 95-117.

"We set certain intensity thresholds for the practice and met them all," Redick mentioned regarding tracking player load, acceleration, and jump data during training. "The players were very professional and focused in their approach today."

Redick incorporated a specific element targeting the Rockets into the practice: positioning and rebounding drills.

The Rockets rank first in the league this season in both total rebounds per game (48.1) and offensive rebounds per game (15.0), while the Lakers rank only 27th.

"Controlling turnovers and securing positioning for rebounds are the keys to this series," Redick said. "Tactics and personnel are important, but if we can't protect the ball and establish positioning, we won't win this series."

Lakers backup center Hayes, who missed the final four regular-season games due to left foot soreness, returned to practice today. He mentioned that this positioning drill reminded him of his college days at the University of Texas.

And this Rockets team will present a challenge to the Lakers comparable to the Texas level of intensity. "I know I can impact the game with energy: running, grabbing rebounds, positioning," Hayes said. "Especially facing Capela and their interior group, I know they aggressively pursue rebounds, so I need to ensure I box them out and do everything the team requires from me."